Michael Essien News

When a club is owned by an obscenely wealthy oligarch, the majority of the transfer speculation naturally surrounds the splashing of some serious cash.

The Portuguese international has been in and out of Real's first eleven all season as his form has deviated, but the 25-year-old reportedly maintains a good working relationship with Mourinho.

Michael Essien has dismissed persistent reports manager Jose Mourinho is at war with some of his players at Real Madrid.

Talking Football: Chelsea cannot believe this will go beyond the short term. The question is: what do they do when he walks out? Friday night at the Bernabeu, and if the people who pull the strings at Chelsea were watching, they will have been reminded of one thing above all.

Reports in Spain are gathering pace that Jose Mourniho, Michael Essien's 'father' will be sacked by Real Madrid in the coming days.

Michael Essien will start Real Madrid's Kings Cup finals against Atletico on Friday after manager Jose Mourinho revealed his starting lineup.

The Benfica playmaker claims that his side have the upper hand in Wednesday's Europa League final, believing the Blues are the weakest they have been in many years Pablo Aimar has dismissed the threat Chelsea pose Benfica in the Europa League final, declaring them unconvincing and significantly worse than the team that lifted the Champions League a ... (more)

The continent's median age is a youthful 18, which means for a significant number of people here Ferguson is the only Manchester United coach they have known.

Chelsea's necessity for a holding midfield player means they must beat Manchester United to Lars Bender, triggering his release clause.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would certainly be in most of them, but what about the superstars of the game that have already enjoyed their best years? I have compiled a team of players whose best years are behind them, but could still give any team a run for their money.

It is unclear whether Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has managed to convince Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Essien return to the Black Stars in future matches.

Could the former Chelsea manager be on his way back to the Bridge in the summer? Matt Law goes all ITV2 on us in his latest column about The Special One Having finished last week's episode by emotionally declaring he needs to feel loved, Jose has embarked on some retail therapy.

JOSE MOURINHO will be able to focus on rebuilding Chelsea's invincible mentality while just tinkering with the team, should he return this summer.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien was an unused substitute in Real Madrid's 4-3 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday.

"In England I am loved by the fans and the media, fairly criticized or credited when I deserve," he said after Real Madrid's Champions League knockout by Borussia Dortmund.

MICHAEL ESSIEN'S 30th birthday party last December was just further confirmation for Jose Mourinho of what he knew already.

The end of Juan Mata's second season at Chelsea is still at least five games away and yet already he is preparing for the possibility of his second European final, his third trophy and, unquestionably, the arrival of the fourth manager he has worked under.

Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien is only a booking away from missing this season's UEFA Champions League final should his side qualify.

However, with the club fighting for Champions League qualification and struggling to regain their dominance in French football, it might be time for the Croatian international to depart.

Chelsea trio; Mikel Obi, Petr Cech and Paulo Ferreira throw their support behind Michael Essien's charity game in June.